The Brown Recluse spider is a staple to Tulsa, right along with Sooner football and fried catfish. Unfortunately, the Brown Recluse isn’t nearly as fun as screaming “boomer sooner” at the TV screen while you’re elbow deep into a bucket of fried catfish.

The Brown Recluse spider has earned its malicious reputation because of the nature of its bites. If you are ever bitten, chances are you won’t even know it until it’s too late. It takes about a week before you’ll experience pain from a Brown Recluse bite. About this time, the infected bite area will be red, with shades of grey and purple. As the wound progresses, the living tissue will begin to decay and die; a symptom known as necrosis. Yikes!

Well, its easy to establish how awful a Brown Recluse bite is, and we know we don’t want them in our homes. What we don’t all know is exactly how to spot one.

The following infographic, is a guide to understanding and spotting Brown Recluse spiders:

How To Spot A Brown Recluse Infographic

Tulsa Brown Recluse Spider Control

I know it goes without saying, but nobody wants the misfortune of dealing with a Brown Recluse spider bite. Extreme spiders require extreme measures. That is why you need to solicit professional Tulsa Brown Recluse Spider Control if you are frequently seeing these dangerous spiders inside your home. Check the online reviews for pest control companies. These companies happen to be the best in town:

Across 28 affected U.S. states, an estimated 10 million bats have died because of a deadly white fungus associated with White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). In the last couple years it has been determined that the deadly disease has spread to the state of Oklahoma and the result could be devastating to the State’s bat population.

White-Nose Syndrome In Oklahoma

In May of 2010 disease surveillance discovered the presence of the white fungus associated with White-Nose Syndrome in northwest Oklahoma. Since then, the disease has spread throughout much of the state. This is very bad news for the 23 different species of bat that call Oklahoma their home. It’s important to note that WNS only affects hibernating bats; as 16 of the 23 species of Oklahoma bat are classified as hibernating.

White-Nose Syndrome affects hibernating bats by covering them with a white, fuzzy fungus. This fungus will alter the bat’s hibernation schedule, causing them to awake during the colder winter months in which they should be preserving their energy. The affected bats essentially burn through all of their energy reserves too early, before they can hunt for insect prey, and die of starvation. The white fungus can also spread to a bat’s wing membranes, and bodies, affecting their ability to fly, regulate body temperature, and blood pressure.

The hardest hit bat in Oklahoma is by far, the Cave Myotis. Other species of bat that scientists are extremely concerned about include: the Indiana bat, the Gray bat and the Ozark big-eared bat because they are considered federally endangered. At this time it is unknown how many bats have perished in the State of Oklahoma, but across the 28 affected U.S. states; it’s feared that the number of dead bats is approaching the 10 million mark.

The Importance Of Oklahoma Bats

Most of us in Oklahoma think of bats as rabid, blood-sucking, creepy, devil birds. The truth is that bats play massive roles to our ecosystem; resulting in a highly beneficial economic role as well. Bats in Oklahoma eat thousands of pounds of insects each year. Some of these insects are considered pests; damaging crops, and causing extensive agricultural damage. In Oklahoma, the avoided-cost value of bats (reduced cost of pesticide application) is estimated to range from $6 million to $24 million per year.

Saving Oklahoma Bats

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and other state authorities are well aware of the White-Nose Syndrome threat and have put together an Oklahoma bat coordinating team. This team’s goal is to educate the public about WNS, monitor Oklahoma caves, help stop the spread of WNS, and eventually find a cure to the deadly bat-killing disease. There is currently no cure.

You can do your part to help stop the spread of WNS by engaging in a decontaminating protocol, outlined here whitenosesyndrome.org, while spelunking and exploring caves. Do not touch any bat you find inside a cave, whether dead or alive.

Report any signs of WNS, like sighting several dead bats or seeing bats with white fuzz, to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation as soon as possible: mhickman@zoo.odwc.state.ok.us or (405-990-4977).

About the Author:

Anthony Ball is a Content Marketing Manager with Bulwark Exterminating, an industry leader in providing high quality pest control services in Tulsa, OK. Bulwark is fully operational in seven states, including twelve major cities. While Bulwark provides pest extermination for common insects such as ants, roaches, crickets and spiders, the company’s differentiating aspect is great personalized service. Bulwark uses the finest and most effective products in the world to solve common pest problems.

It has been well established that Tulsa, Oklahoma is a hotbed of Brown Recluse spiders. These dangerous spiders can infest Tulsa homes by the hundreds, and even the thousands. If you are bitten by one of these spiders, you will experience necrosis, or tissue death. The dangerous and extreme Brown Recluse spider requires extreme measures.

Homeowner Brown Recluse Measures

There are a few things Tulsa homeowners can do themselves to eliminate Brown Recluse spiders, and prevent them from entering their home again. First, eliminate all harborage that Brown Recluse spiders hide in. this includes, wood piles, debris, excessive shrubbery, and clutter. Second, seal up any cracks or voids that lead to the inside of your home. Vents and light fixtures affixed to your basement and attic are easy entry points for brown Recluse spiders. Third, vacuum up any webs, spiders, and egg sacs with a wet-vac that has extended tubes to reach high places. Keep the wet-vac full of bleach and water to kill any brown recluse spiders you may suck up. Last, de-clutter your garages, basements, and attics as spiders like these areas. Use storage containers with tight fitting lids, and tightly seal any boxes with packing tape.

Professional Brown Recluse Measures

Direct Contact Treatments

Pesticides can be effectively used when applied directly to Brown Recluse spiders. This treatment method is best used when large numbers of the spiders are grouped together. The problem is that this isn’t always the case with Brown recluse spiders, so this technique needs to be used in conjunction with other spider control techniques.

Exterior Treatments

After a homeowner takes a few steps to control the Brown recluse infestation, like removing harborage and sealing cracks, then the exterior of the home needs to be treated with pesticides. A pesticide spray barrier needs to be applied around a property and home. Aerosol pesticide needs to be injected in voids behind a homes brick veneer. Any crack in the exterior of the home should be treated with a pesticide dust.

Crack and Void Treatments

The most critical step in controlling Brown Recluse spiders is the application of pesticides in cracks and voids. The reason being is that Brown Recluse spiders prefer these spaces. These spaces include all of the plates covering electrical outlets of a home, which need to be removed and filled with pesticide. All crevices and cracks need to be dusted with pesticide. Holes may need to be drilled in a home’s walls as to treat all of the voids. Special attention must be paid to basements and attics with the application of pesticide behind insulation as well.

Spot Treatments

Spot treatments inside a home must also be used in conjunction with the other Brown Recluse spider control methods for best results. Areas that these spiders like to crawl, like along baseboards and behind furniture, need to be treated with pesticide spray. Spray wherever Brown Recluse spiders frequent.

Fire Ants

The Red Imported Fire ant is one of the worst species of ants found in Tulsa, OK. On top of being very aggressive and destructive, these vicious ants also bite and sting. The fire ant’s sting is what makes this pest infamous.

Fire Ant Stings

If you have ever been stung by an ant, not bitten but stung; the culprit was a fire ant. Fire ants are the only stinging ant found in the United States. When stung by a fire ant, you will know it immediately. You will be in pain. The pain ranges from moderate to severe, depending on your body’s reaction to the fire ant venom. Once stung, the infected site will turn red. The area will eventually turn white and blister.

If you are stung by a fire ant, the reactions will subside after a couple days unless an infection sets in; or have insect allergies.

Common Fire Ant Sting Symptoms

Moderate pain

Burning sensation

Tenderness around sting site

Redness

White blisters

Hives

Inflammation

Itching

Severe Fire Ant Sting Symptoms (Allergic Reaction)

Dizziness

Lightheadedness

Confusion

Disorientation

Difficulty breathing

Nausea

Vomiting

How To Treat Fire Ant Stings

If you have been stung by a fire ant, it’s important to remain calm. If you panic, your blood pressure will rise and the ant venom will spread further and faster.

If you have known insect allergies (bees), or are experiencing any of the severe fire ant sting symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If you have been stung numerous times, having stepped on a fire ant mound for example, it’s probably a good idea to seek medical attention as well.

If you’ve been stung by a fire ant, and are not experiencing allergic reactions, you’ll likely be in pain for a few hours. Take an Advil. Clean the infected sting area with a mixture of water and bleach OR ammonia (not both). Water and meat tenderizer also works well. These concoctions will help denature the fire ant’s venom.

The pain from the fire ant sting will subside after a couple hours. The redness, the white blisters, and the itching will take a few days to alleviate.

Preventing Fire Ant Stings

In order to prevent stings from fire ants, you will need to take precautions. If you see one of the fire ant’s distinctive mounds, keep your distance. Point out fire ant mounds to your children—who are frequent sting victims. If one of these ant mounds is disturbed, the colony will spill out of the mound and defend it by attacking the perpetrator; crawling up feet and legs as they sting repeatedly.

One of the best precautions to take when dealing with fire ants is getting professional ant control. Ant control professionals are up-to-date on of the most effective methods to exterminate and control fire ants on your property.